Thursday Night Bible Study



Above L: Elianna and Benjamin snuggling up to the new baby. Above R: Summarizing the main point of Matthew 10 in one sentence.

Tonight we held our last thursday night English Bible study. Why is it the last? Because we are 'multiplying' into two groups. Starting next week, Miki and Erika will begin a NEW thursday night small group taking most of our regular thursday night attenders. This group will be evangelistic in nature and hopefully lead many to understand and receive the gospel. On the same night (in our home), we will begin a NEW small group focused on building the new teenage young men who have been saved recently. This small group will be focused on discipleship. This transition has not been the most comfortable decision to make, but it is clear that God is leading us to take this step of faith. Please pray for these two new groups to be effective in evangelism and discipleship for God's glory.



Attila shared that one of his friends committed suicide this past week, and another attempted to commit suicide. Csaba added that in the neighboring town of Lôrinci , two midlle aged people committed suicide this past week as well. Hajnalka shared that she also was asked to comfort someone this past week who was considering committing suicide. What a stark reminder of the hopelessness of life without an understanding of God's gracious provision of freedom and salvation in His Son. We talked about how suicide in Hungary is often seen as an acceptable means of escape. Dezsô highlighted the rhetoric of the recent political advertisements that consitintly say things like, “Life isn't getting any better.” “We're worse off now than we were five years ago.” Dezsô said that this type of thinking leads many to continue seeing life as hopeless and without a future.

Our study tonight was on Matthew 10. After reading through the text, I had them break up into small groups and attempt to summarize the main message found in the text. They did a great job (with the help of the Holy Spirit of course!) It was encouraging to see them discover truth and work together through God's word to find it. It became clear that we follow in the footsteps of the only One who lived a perfect life, obeying His Father at each step and the result was persecution and utter rejection evidenced in the crucifixion. Jesus reveals, that if they treated Him in this way, we too should expect more of the same from the world that rejects truth. But we know that the end result of our living by faith in Jesus Christ is salvation. Matthew 10:22 says, “All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. ”

Before leaving tonight, Janka and Csaba commented that this was a mind stretching night. There were points in our discussion where passions were stirred, and world views where shaken. I am thankful that God's word is our authoritative guide leading us in a life that is approved by God. Praise Him!
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